Lisa O’Neill Honors Glen Hansard Three Years After They Performed at Shane MacGowan’s Funeral

Three years after performing alongside Glen Hansard at the funeral of Shane MacGowan, Lisa O'Neill honored Hansard with a moving rendition of "Old Note" at his service at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. Joined by Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Joseph Doyle, and Michael Buckley, O'Neill delivered an ethereal performance of the song, which originally appeared on her album, All of This Is Chance.

Before singing, O'Neill shared the story behind the track, recalling how Hansard had given her the keys to an apartment in Dublin with lofty ceilings, where she penned her album. Hansard arrived at the cathedral in a horse-drawn hearse, his coffin carried shoulder-high by family members. His wife, Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa, thanked the Gardaí and first responders who aided Hansard following his motorcycle accident.

Saaritsa read an early poem for her husband, beginning and ending with "Come to me with beauty. I require it to stay alive." Traditional Irish music, including "The Auld Triangle," which Hansard frequently performed, was woven throughout the ceremony. O'Neill's performance alongside Hansard at MacGowan's funeral in December 2023, backed by members of The Pogues, brought mourners to their feet.

Hansard died on July 29th, 2026, following a motorcycle crash outside Dublin at the age of 56. The funeral followed a public wake at the Irish Museum of Modern Art, where thousands of mourners paid their respects.